Options For Replacement Of Missing Teeth

INTRODUCTION:

Teeth are important. They help you chew, speak, smile and also help you maintain overall good health.
Missing teeth can be because of many reasons, most common of which are: dental caries, trauma / fractures, congenitally missing teeth or periodontal problems.
Replacement of missing tooth / Teeth is important to prevent bigger problems later.

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT REPLACING MISSING TOOTH:

Teeth like to be in contact with each other. If a tooth is missing and not replaced, eventually the teeth adjacent to missing tooth space start moving towards each other. Tooth opposing the missing tooth space starts migrating towards the space.
This causes malocclusion and periodontal problems of those teeth.
Also when there’s no tooth, there’s no stimuli; so your gum and jaw bone starts to deteriorate in that particular area of your mouth.

DENTAL IMPLANT:

A dental bridge is a fake tooth for the missing space called a pontic, which is held together by crowing the teeth adjacent to the missing space.
It takes couple of visits, but when done, it gives the appearance and feel of natural teeth as well.
It is quicker, easier and cheaper to get dental bridge as compared to implants.
Con: Needs special type of floss to floss underneath the bridge. Needs preparation of adjacent teeth.

These are conservative and much more cost effective option for replacing teeth.
They require some teeth preparation to accumulator the thickness of the bridge.
They are not very durable especially when compared to conventional bridges.
They are mostly recommended for the anterior missing teeth (front teeth) — for single tooth replacement.

Least expensive option.
Can replace multiple missing teeth by taking support of existing natural teeth and alveolar bone. And helps in chewing and other functions.
There are different options like: cast partial denture, flexible partial denture, acrylic partial denture –there are indications and contraindications to all these—your dentist decides which is best for you.
Cons: needs to be removed by night, cleaned, less durable than implants or bridges, it takes time and effort for patients to get used to them.

These are used for patients with all or most teeth missing
They need several visits to the dentist for different kinds of measurements
They take time to get used to but they help you restore function and esthetics (smile, lip and cheek support, chewing etc).
There are also options like over dentures and implant supported dentures which are much more retentive options.

CHOOSING AN OPTION:

Ask your dentist which option is best for you that fits your oral health needs and your budget as well.
All these options are good and better than leaving a space in your mouth; which will further deteriorate your oral health.
At charter oak dental we don’t believe in “one size fits all”. We do a thorough evaluation and consultation of your oral health and then carefully make and present a treatment plan for you.
Ask us more during your visit at charter oak dental.

Reference: Connect with us on Instagram: @charteroakdental